Product Details

• Actors: Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, Max Pomeranc, Joan Allen, Laurence Fishburne
• Directors: Steven Zaillian
• Writers: Steven Zaillian, Fred Waitzkin
• Producers: David Wisnievitz, Scott Rudin, Sydney Pollack, William Horberg
• Format: Anamorphic, Color, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English
• Dubbed: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: July 11, 2000
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (169 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305910340
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,267 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Searching for Bobby Fischer" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Steve Zaillian, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Schindler's List, made his directorial debut with this critically acclaimed but little-seen drama based on the nonfiction book by Fred Waitzkin, about a father (Joe Mantegna) who discovers that his seven-year-old son (Max Pomeranc) is a genius at playing chess. The boy plays chess for fun, but when he's tutored by a former champion (Ben Kingsley) and entered into high-pressure competitions, an enjoyable pastime becomes a source of tension and resentment, forcing the father to reconsider his parental priorities. A poignant study of the difference between parental idealism and proper parenting, the movie is also an observantly witty portrait of a precocious child who is still, after all, a child, and still eager for the joyful discoveries of youth. While offering a fascinating look into the world of competitive chess, the movie's dramatically engrossing and extremely well-acted by a brilliant cast that also includes David Paymer, William H. Macy, and Dan Hedaya in memorable supporting roles. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Josh Waitzkin is just a typical American boy interested in baseball when one day he challenges his father at chess and wins. Showing unusual precocity at the outdoor matches at Washington Square in New York City, he quickly makes friends with a hustler named Vinnie who teaches him speed chess. Josh's parents hire a renowned chess coach, Bruce, who teaches Josh the usefulness of measured planning. Along the way Josh becomes tired of Bruce's system and chess in general and purposely throws a match, leaving the prospects of winning a national championship in serious jeopardy.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars High replay value. August 17, 2004

By D. Knouse

Format:DVD

One of the deciding factors I use to determine whether or not I will purchase a DVD is, "How many times will I want to see this film?" Well, as far as this DVD is concerned I'm nearing the double-digits in viewings. This is essentially a Family Film with a great cast of actors such as Laurence Fishburn, Joan Allen, Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, David Paymer, William H. Macy, and a small role by the then virtually unknown Laura Linney. After that, there are some fine scenes filled with some excellent child acting. I happen to think any film with good child acting is worth seeing, they are so rare. The story is well-written and ranges in emotion from humor to borderline outrage and deep-seeded disappointment. This film actually reminds me of "The Color of Money" directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Tom Cruise and Paul Newman. I got a similar buzz from both films. After I watch "The Color of Money" I feel an unbridled desire to play pool. After I watch "Searching for Bobby Fischer" I need to break out my chess board or play on my chess program. There is even a shot taken directly from "The Color of Money" that is used here. In "The Color of Money" there is a great camera shot of a huge room that starts with a shot of the ceiling and gradually pans downward to reveal an empty hall with about twenty pool tables set up for play. In "Searching for Bobby Fischer" there is a sweeping camera shot that begins with a dark shot of a hallway ceiling then floats through an archway into a huge, empty hall filled with dozens of chess boards ready for play. This film did get a single Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, and with shots like those it is easy to see why. This is a very solid purchase for anyone, chess fans or no.... There are a couple of scenes that bend towards the over-dramatic for the sense of keeping the story thrilling. Such as the final chess match, which is not what really happened, but it makes for a more entertaining scene. I know this because the real Josh Waitzkin helped design my chess program Chessmaster 9000 and his championship games are all listed therein. Minor discrepancies aside, everything about this film is first-rate and altogether superb. Thank you. Read more ›

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No, it's not really about chess....well, not just chess. June 26, 2000

By John S. Harris VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

This is not a movie only about chess any more than "Field of Dreams" was only about baseball. This is about a father who wants his son to excel, and about a son who just wants his father's love and approval just to be a "normal" kid. "Chess" in this movie could have been a metaphor for any special "gift" or talent, but it is important to mention that this film is based on real-life persons and events.

This is a story about finding one's character and courage in the face of mounting pressure and high expectations. It's about a very young boy who wants to be sure his father loves him for who he is, not just for what he can do.

Written and directed by Steven Zaillian (who wrote, among other things, the screenplay for Spielberg's "Schindler's List"), SFBF is a heartwarming movie that has you rooting and cheering. And young Max Pomeranc is a real fine young actor! Multiple Oscar-nominee Joan Allen plays the boy's mother in this film, and here she continues to solidify her position as one of the most wonderful actresses working today. Will she EVER get the widespread recognition she deserves?

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Under Rated Movie Ever. August 29, 2003

By "suzveve"

Format:DVD

And why is it that such a ridiculously good movie has been so clearly overlooked? This is not merely a family film. This film is quietly sitting around some shelves somewhere, being a genius. The very opening, what with the soft strings carrying some undercurrent of whateverness, along with the opening dialogue (spoken so sweetly by a child no other child can dare out perform) is hair-raisingly impressive.

It's futile. Every second of this movie can be discussed in great detail: the technical musings, the psychological gamblings, the musical magnum opuses (becoming so excited by the thought of this movie that I'm no longer making any sense whatsoever), the acting...

It's quiet and it's absolutely genius. The symbolism is beautiful. I'm thinking mostly of the "Don't move until you see it."/"I can't see it." moment, focusing on the pawn, the King.

So it's good.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie (5), Lousy DVD (1) August 27, 2009

By Scientific K

Format:DVD

I'm very surprised that no one commented on what the studio has done to this picture in the DVD release: The "widescreen" aspect ratio is achieved by taking the pan-and-scan version of the movie and lopping off the top and bottom to make the 4:3 aspect ratio into 16:9 (1.85:1). This means you see even less of the frame than in the VHS version! Thankfully, this practice is being abandoned by the movie studios. Let's hope this terrific movie gets a proper re-release on DVD soon.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'But I'm not Bobby Fischer' (recommended) March 28, 2006

By K. Williams

Format:DVD

From the title you might imagine a swarm of detectives combing the city looking for champion Bobby Fischer missing from a chess tournament. However, this is the story of a very gifted young boy named Josh Waitzkin who possesses an intuitive grasp of chess (and other games). Though SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER features chess, it's not about this game so much as it is about nurturing a child to grow into his own person. The mysterious disappearance of Bobby Fischer, world chess champion, did leave a void. But does this give family and coaches the right to demand that another child fill that vacancy? Can Josh continue to enjoy chess along with all the other things "normal" children do? Or is he destined to become part of a regimented chess-champion making machine?

A poignant point in the movie is made when Josh's coach angrily tells him his behavior is inconsistent with prior champion Bobby Fischer. The prodigy replies, "Well, I'm not him." This is a movie an entire family can enjoy together. The PG rating is earned from drug dealers and gamblers depicted in the park where people play chess.

Movie quote: "To put a child in a position to care about winning and not to prepare him is wrong."